Marijuana & the Town of Orono

This page is intended as a resource to communicate information that the Town is considering in its process of deciding whether or not to "opt in" as a municipality to allow Adult Use (formerly 'recreational') or Medical sales of marijuana. Its purpose is also to provide pertinent information on allowances given to adult residents of Orono by the implementation of state laws regarding Adult Use and Medical marijuana, including personal use.

In the 2016 election, Maine voters approved the recreational use, retail sale and taxation of marijuana (Orono voting was 2322 - 2009 approve vs disapprove). In October 2018, the Town officially adopted two moratoriums (one regarding Adult Use and one regarding Medical) on marijuana sales in Orono, and is now in the public process of deciding to or not to "opt in" to allowing sales in Orono. Before the conclusion of the moratoriums, the Town will decide whether more time is needed to decide, and may then adopt new moratoriums to continue researching standards and regulations, adhering to best practices regarding the subject.

State of Maine Marijuana Laws

The following is an overview of current state of Maine laws regarding Adult Use (formerly 'recreational') and Medical marijuana in the state of Maine.

Use, possess or transport at any one time up to 2 1/2 ounces of marijuana or 2 ½ ounces of a combination of marijuana and marijuana concentrate that includes no more than 5 grams of marijuana concentrate

Use, possess, purchase or transport marijuana paraphernalia

Possess, cultivate or transport at any one time up to 3 mature marijuana plants, 12 immature marijuana plants and an unlimited number of seedlings and possess all the marijuana produced by such plants at the person's place of residence or at the location where the marijuana was cultivated

Purchase up to 12 immature marijuana plants or seedlings from a nursery cultivation facility as described in section 301, subsection 5 or from a marijuana store

Consume marijuana or marijuana products in a private residence, including curtilage; or on private property, not generally accessible by the public, and the person is explicitly permitted to consume marijuana or marijuana products on the property by the owner of the property

1. Marijuana in workplace: An employer is not required to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, trade, display, transportation, sale or cultivation of marijuana or marijuana products in the workplace

2. Workplace policies regarding marijuana use. May enact and enforce workplace policies restricting the use of marijuana and marijuana products by employees in the workplace or while otherwise engaged in activities within the course and scope of employment; and

3. Discipline of employees. May discipline employees who are under the influence of marijuana in the workplace or while otherwise engaged in activities within the course and scope of employment in accordance with the employer's workplace policies regarding the use of marijuana and marijuana products by employees.

Default will be prohibition – after December 13, 2018, municipalities must vote to “opt-in” to operation of registered caregiver retail stores, registered dispensaries, testing facilities, and manufacturing facilities

Medical marijuana establishments already in operation with municipal approval as of December 13, 2018, were grandfathered

Town Decision-Making Process on Marijuana Sales

The following is an overview of the Town's decision-making process regarding retail sales of Adult Use marijuana and dispensing of Medical marijuana in Orono, including presentations by the planning board.

On November 15, 2018 Town Planner Kyle Drexler gave a presentation at a Community Development Committee Meeting on the Regulation of Adult Use and Medical Marijuana Establishments. The Committee had a discussion on the topic; minutes of the meeting with presentation slides and audio linked below.

Summary:This presentation was given to Council to explain and outline the regulatory decisions that have to be considered going forward if the Town were to allow medical and/or adult use marijuana establishments. The Town would have the ability to place restrictions and additional design standards on these establishments that other similar businesses do not have to follow. Some possible restrictions and standards were discussed as well as possible zoning districts where each establishment type may best fit if they were to be allowed.

Previously, Town Planner Kyle Drexler presented to Town Council an introduction to retail marijuana, on September 20, 2018. Presentation slides and audio of the presentation are linked below.

Summary:This presentation was given to Council to provide background information on what each of the four marijuana establishment types consist of. Possible issues and nuisance concerns that may accompany these types of establishments were discussed as well as some best practice approaches that other communities have taken to deal with those issues.